Upcycling and trends: Lavoisier's famous maxim, “nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,” does not only apply to chemical reactions. It also finds its echo in our daily lives thanks to an innovative practice: upcycling. Upcycling is an English term for “surcyclage.” The concept is very simple: reuse existing objects or resources to make something new.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is a concept that is both simple and ingenious. It involves taking existing objects or materials and creatively transforming them to give them a new, often more valuable, function.
Upcycling: how does it differ from recycling?
We already mentioned this in a previous article on upcycling, which describes it as the art of recycling better. Recycling consists of transforming objects (this may involve completely breaking them down!) that we use to make something different, whereas upcycling involves revaluing waste by giving it a second life and perhaps a new use. Upcycling therefore adds added value to the base product.
Why upcycle?
After understanding the differences between recycling and upcycling, you are probably wondering about its advantages compared to recycling. Upcycling, or surcyclage, highlights the creative dimension of reuse. By carefully observing craftsmanship, we can see that many works are inspired by this concept. Artisans often transform existing objects into unique creations, thus illustrating the very essence of upcycling in their work.
Take the example of an old armchair with holes and faded colors that no longer suits you. Let's add old jeans that are also torn and faded. Upcycling will allow you to give them a second life: by making patches from these jeans and sewing them together, creating a new armchair cover. You will then be the happy owner of a trendy armchair with a vintage inspiration!
Creativity is therefore at the heart of this eco-responsible and committed process; in addition to doing something for the planet and developing sustainable values, upcycling can allow you to have a good creative time.
Upcycling and Recycling
What about the recycling version?
For those of you who are more curious, an old armchair can also be the result of recycled materials. Indeed, plastic can be recycled to make textiles. This same textile can even be used to create… an armchair cover! :)
The impact of upcycling
Upcycling first has an ecological impact. In fact, this way waste is limited and resources are reusable. It is estimated that in 2023, household packaging recycling in France helped avoid the emission of 2.3 million tonnes of CO₂, a significant increase compared to the 1.6 million tonnes avoided in 2020.*
As recycling is well established in our minds, it is now time to think about other alternatives in order to avoid the mass production and overconsumption of precious resources . To this end, upcycling could reduce mass production, particularly in the ready-to-wear sector, which is unfortunately a highly polluting sector due to fast fashion. Indeed, this sector is also at the root of social problems, and upcycling helps to limit this issue.
Upcycling: fashion through upcycling
Speaking of fashion, the fashion sector has been facing significant overproduction and overconsumption since the early 90s. This overconsumption and overproduction is characterized by the term “fast fashion” : it denounces fashion that is lived quickly, disposable fashion without real interest in the piece itself but rather in the symbol of consumption that it represents.
The problem of fast fashion lies first in the very principle of overproduction: human exploitation for this very fast production, but also the considerable waste that it represents. As the fast fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, it needs to change to be more responsible and sustainable. In terms of water consumption, waste management, highly polluting transport, and worker exploitation, fast fashion is a problem. It is today at the heart of controversy and stands in opposition to “slow fashion” : a more responsible, ethical, and environmentally friendly fashion. Slow fashion can therefore easily be done at home or with committed designers such as those represented by the brands in the Meanwhile Boutique collective.
Upcycling and Ethical Fashion
Some brands offer alternatives to this colossal industry known as fast fashion. We can find designers such as those at Meanwhile Boutique, but also major haute couture houses that have decided to get involved in the environment through their creations.
Notably, the Germanier brand stands out. Led by designer Kevin Germanier, the house offers haute couture items made from upcycled fabrics. The designer turns to fabric scraps to make unique limited-edition creations. The designer decides to “give a chance” to small pieces of fabric left to waste, believing that they can bring something extra to a creation. The creations of the Germanier house are all more original and powerful than one another. And for good reason, every dress, every pair of pants, every jacket is unique thanks to the upcycling of materials. The designer seeks to give his brand an innovative and dynamic character, moving away from the image we have of ethical fashion in general. He makes sure that we have the image of a glamorous and dynamic brand. The ethical side of his brand does not stop at upcycling; the designer shares a true know-how mixed with more futuristic techniques, which leads to original and unique handmade creations.
Meanwhile Boutique therefore offers you upcycled ethical fashion items that are an integral part of “slow fashion”. For a different way of consuming, with taste, style, and equivalent, if not superior, product quality.
Upcycling: Upcycled Clothing
Some brands offer alternatives to this colossal industry known as fast fashion. We can find designers such as those at Meanwhile Boutique, but also major haute couture houses that have decided to get involved in the environment through their creations.
#1 - Hédison
Hédison is a brand of bags and fashion accessories entirely made from recycled materials only. As a result, the brand is committed to a business that respects the planet and its resources.
From the product, through the label, to its packaging, Hédison adopts a zero-waste approach. The brand's products are made from recycled materials, then designed to be reused, recycled, or composted. The brand has durable and timeless products that can be worn all year round. Hédison's goal? To promote responsibility and fight overconsumption.
Boston upcycled fabric fanny pack - €65.00
Upcycling: Upcycled Accessories
#2 - ZGROUITCH by Marguerite Morin
Zgrouitch by Marguerite Morin is a French brand of upcycled accessories and clothing. The designer, passionate about sewing, takes care to make all her creations by hand in her small Parisian workshop. For her fabrics, she turns entirely to second-hand. Old clothes and vintage old curtains, with a little imagination, everything to become an authentically upcycled piece with Zgrouitch.
The brand offers a diverse range of upcycled products. On our boutique, you will also have the opportunity to discover exclusively and in very limited editions upcycled fanny packs, resulting from a collaboration with Meanwhile Boutique!
Upcycled fanny pack [ limited edition ] - €49.00
#3 - BINETTE
BINETTE is a French brand of upcycled accessories. Its mission? To transform everyday life, free your hands, and revolutionize the fashion sector with trendy accessories with ethical and responsible values. To do this, it offers very practical and aesthetic products. The brand works on the principle of upcycling: its products are designed from dormant stocks of certain ones destined to be thrown away or even from industrial fabric scraps. These different recovered materials are then revalued to make accessories like fanny packs or makeup remover cotton pads.
BINETTE Collection - from €5.00
Upcycling: Upcycled Jewelry
#3 - HORIZON AND JOYAS
HORIZON AND JOYAS is a brand of colorful and sunny upcycled jewelry, resistant to water thanks to its stainless steel composition. Inspired by travels around the world, these unique creations combine elegance and eco-responsible commitment. Assembled with care in its Parisian workshop, these pieces of jewelry accompany every woman with radiance throughout the day.
Horizon and joyas transforms by hand old jewelry found in France and during travels, offering them thus a second life. In addition, all material scraps are reused and remelted in order to minimize waste and reduce the brand's environmental impact.
Upcycled heart ring - Annabeth - €35
Indeed, the brands in the Meanwhile Boutique collective offer you ethical fashion items, whether it is upcycling, recycling, or handmade creations, in France or from fair trade. These ethical creations allow you to approach fashion in a different way, always with just as much style.
And you, what do you think of ethical fashion? Are you convinced by upcycling? Let us know! ⬇️
You will be able to find all these creators, female creators and many more on the Meanwhile Boutique eshop. Other brands fond of upcycling are also available on the eshop!
Source:
*https://www.citeo.com/le-mag/les-chiffres-du-recyclage-en-france/
Photo credits:
noah eleazar on Unsplash
Julietta Watson on Unsplash
Utopia By Cho on Unsplash
This article was written by Soukeyna, content manager at Meanwhile Boutique, then edited by Sandra G. Martins.
